Man arrested in thefts: Stolen Mustang 'too fast for him to handle'

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — An Evansville man was arrested Wednesday on charges related to the theft of property, including firearms, from vehicles in several north side subdivisions.

The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office arrested Antonio “Dump” Jamaze Harrell, 20, on three felony counts of theft, two felony counts of theft of a firearm, three misdemeanor counts of theft and eight misdemeanor counts of unauthorized entry of a vehicle. The Evansville Police Department, US Marshals Fugitive Task Force and the ATF assisted in the investigation.

During an interview with detectives, Harrell admitted to “car-hopping,” or stealing from parked cars, on a number of occasions. According to a news release, he admitted to stealing several handguns, hunting and computer equipment as well as cash from a number of vehicles. He also admitted to stealing a Ford Mustang and abandoning it shortly after, stating, “It was too fast for him to handle”.

Harrell told detectives he had sold the guns. Several handgun magazines and a stolen laptop were recovered.

A subject known as “Dump” had been named previously as a possible suspect in vehicle break-ins that occurred in the Bridlewood, Windham and Green River Estates subdivisions in northeastern Vanderburgh County in late October. The investigation identified “Dump” as Harrell.

Deputies assigned to the US Marshals Fugitive Task Force located Harrell and brought him to the Sheriff’s Operations Center.

Harrell also admitted to being the person shown in a video that has circulated on social media. The VCSO release says the video, taken the weekend of Nov. 23, depicts a person entering a parked vehicle at night and apparently looking through it for something to steal. Nothing was taken in that incident. Harrell admitted to taking money from other vehicles in the same subdivision; however, those thefts were not reported.

The ATF is assisting in the continuing investigation as some of the thefts involve handguns that have yet to be recovered.

Ford Motor Co. marks the production of the 10 millionth Mustang with celebrations at the automaker’s headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan, as well as at the Flat Rock Assembly Plant, where the iconic sports car is made (Aug. 8)
AP